Mayo Clinic's approach
Kidney transplant consultation
Kidney transplant consultation at Mayo Clinic
Teamwork
At Mayo Clinic, an integrated team of doctors trained in kidney disease (nephrologists), abdominal transplant surgery, infectious disease management and other specialties is focused on the needs of you and your family. Surgeons, doctors, transplant nurses, pharmacists, social workers and others work together to manage every aspect of your kidney transplant, from planning through post-surgical care.
Care team roles
Health care professionals trained in many medical specialties work together as a team to ensure favorable outcomes from your kidney transplant.
Coordinated care
Having all of this subspecialized expertise in a single place, focused on you, means that you're not just getting one opinion — your care is discussed among the team, your test results are available quickly, appointments are scheduled in coordination, and your transplant care team works together to determine what's best for you.
Surgical expertise
Transplant or dialysis
Transplant or dialysis: Which path is most beneficial for people with kidney failure?
Click here for an infographic to learn more.
Mayo Clinic surgeons perform approximately 700 kidney transplants a year, including numerous complex surgical procedures at campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. As a three-site institution, Mayo Clinic has one of the largest living-donor kidney transplant and paired kidney donor programs in the United States.
Our experts have pioneered many procedures, including living-donor kidney transplants and kidney transplant before dialysis is needed. The Mayo Clinic kidney transplant team has extensive experience in the most complex types of kidney transplantation, including ABO incompatible, positive crossmatch and paired donation kidney transplants.
Start your donor evaluation
Begin the process of becoming a living kidney or liver donor by clicking here to complete a Health History Questionnaire.
Pediatric kidney transplant surgery is also provided to children at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona.
Mayo Clinic also offers kidney transplants to select candidates with hepatitis B and C and treated HIV.
Kidney transplant outcomes at Mayo Clinic compare favorably with the national average.
Research
Researchers at Mayo Clinic are actively engaged in developing new technologies, treatments and techniques to make transplants safer and available to more people.
Mayo Clinic researchers were part of a major U.S. study that pioneered a new pre-transplant immune system treatment to expand the use of incompatible living-donor kidney transplants — an innovation that means less time on dialysis waiting for a perfect match for many people whose immune systems previously wouldn't tolerate a living-donor kidney.
At Mayo Clinic, you may have access to ongoing clinical trials, research and new treatments.
Mayo Clinic researchers actively study medications and treatments for people with kidney transplants, including new medications (immunosuppressive medications) to keep your body from rejecting your kidney transplant.
Researchers are also investigating better ways to lower antibody levels in your blood to reduce rejection of a donor kidney and improve outcomes when the match between a donor and recipient isn't ideal (ABO incompatible and positive crossmatch kidney transplant).
Other research areas include looking at new ways to use immunosuppressive medications, including tacrolimus (Prograf, Protopic), sirolimus (Rapamune), belatacept (Nulojix) and steroid-free immunosuppression medication options, to help reduce side effects and complications for people with kidney transplants.
Read more about the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Research Program.
Nationally recognized expertise
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., has been recognized as the best Nephrology hospital in the nation for 2018-2019 by U.S. News & World Report.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., ranks No. 1 for diabetes and endocrinology in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., is ranked among the best hospitals for diabetes and endocrinology by U.S. News & World Report.
The Mayo Clinic experience and patient stories
Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced. See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients.
The Match of a Lifetime
When Ed Waters needed a kidney transplant, his wife, Darlene, stepped up to be his donor. The couple was delighted to find that, just as in the rest of their married life, they were perfectly compatible. When Ed and Darlene Waters of Glenwood City, Wisconsin, got married 43 years ago, it seemed they were an [...]
Crafting An Artist's Healthy Future
Lupus was wreaking havoc on Emily Olson's health. Her Mayo Clinic care team's decision to employ a medication typically not used for this autoimmune disorder, along with a kidney transplant, not only saved Emily's life, it reignited her independence and confidence. Emily Olson has always loved drawing, and she wanted to make a living with [...]
A New Kidney With a Little Help From His Friends
When Fred Anderson needed a new kidney, he didn't have to look far to find eager donors. His friends Jim Ross and Ted Schreiber both stepped forward. Although Jim ended up being the donor, all three banded together to ensure the transplant journey included plenty of support and camaraderie. Fred Anderson of Great Falls, Montana, [...]
Bidding Farewell to Enormous, Faulty Kidneys
"Owner of the world's largest kidneys" was never a title Gene Okun wanted to have. Today, thanks to a living donor and a Mayo Clinic surgical team, he no longer does. Gene Okun's kidneys had to go. They were big. They didn't work. And they were ruining his life. "My stomach's so big that it [...]
Kidney Transplant Opens the Door to Lanell Johnson's Next Adventure
Lanell Johnson's path to a kidney transplant wasn't easy. But now that she's received a new kidney and is enjoying a return to good health, Lanell and her husband are eager to move forward. Lanell Johnson takes pride in what she calls her battle scars ? the result of her long journey to a successful [...]
'Lobby Days' Offer Life-Changing Information About Kidney Transplants
After enduring kidney dialysis for years, a conversation Martin Ruiz Zerme?o had at his dialysis center with Mayo Clinic social worker Jeffrey Welch paved the way to a successful kidney transplant. Martin Ruiz Zerme?o's home was melancholy. "When you don't feel well, there's sadness at home," he says. Stealing joy from Martin's life was kidney [...]
Liver and Kidney Transplants Revive Ron Hale's Zest for Life
A host of serious medical problems put Ron Hale on a downward spiral of deteriorating health. But a liver and a kidney transplant at Mayo Clinic stopped Ron's decline and dramatically improved his quality of life. Diagnosed with cirrhosis in March 2013, Ron Hale spent several long years coping with declining health and frequent hospitalizations. [...]
Bring Him Now: Transplant Teams Bring Together 'Mayo Clinic at Its Finest' For Young Patient
When 4-year-old Maksim Messerer's kidney function declined suddenly and unexpectedly, surgical staff from across Mayo Clinic quickly came together to perform his kidney transplant several weeks ahead of schedule. New Year's Eve is supposed to be a time of celebration and hope. But for Jeremiah and Rachael Messerer, Dec. 31, 2014, was anything but celebratory. [...]
Living-Donor Kidney Transplant Cements Brothers' Bond
Always close growing up, a successful kidney donation and transplant strengthened the connection between siblings Jim Von Holtum and Greg Vaske. Jim Von Holtum is the third-youngest child, and the youngest boy, in a mixed family of eight brothers and sisters. His half-brother Greg Vaske was already 13 years old when his baby brother was [...]
In Need of a Second Transplant, Remy Marceau Fights On
Four years after receiving a life-saving transplant, Remy Marceau was devastated when his body rejected the new kidney. Today he's using humor and hope to buoy his spirits as he waits for another transplant. Remy Marceau of Phoenix never expected to look back with such fondness on the four years after he received a life-saving [...]
Expertise and rankings
Kidney transplant interdisciplinary team
Kidney transplant interdisciplinary teamwork at Mayo Clinic
Experience
Mayo Clinic kidney transplant surgeons have performed more than 7,000 procedures using state-of-the-art technology since performing their first kidney transplant in 1963.
Each year, Mayo Clinic surgeons perform approximately 700 kidney transplants, including numerous complex surgical procedures at campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.
The Mayo Clinic kidney transplant team has extensive experience in the most complex types of kidney transplantation, including ABO incompatible, positive crossmatch and paired donation kidney transplants.
As a three-site institution, Mayo Clinic has one of the largest living-donor kidney transplant programs in the United States.
Innovation and research
Mayo Clinic transplant researchers take a leading role in efforts to find new, improved ways to conduct all aspects of transplantation, expanding the availability of transplants, reducing risks and improving the outcomes of transplantation.
Our experts have pioneered many procedures, including living-donor kidney transplants and kidney transplant before dialysis is needed.
The Mayo Clinic Transplant Center supports many studies for kidney transplant research.
Kidney transplant research at Mayo Clinic
Kidney transplant research at Mayo Clinic
Nationally recognized expertise
Kidney transplant outcomes at Mayo Clinic compare favorably with the national average.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., has been recognized as the best Nephrology hospital in the nation for 2018-2019 by U.S. News & World Report.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., ranks No. 1 for diabetes and endocrinology in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., is ranked among the best hospitals for diabetes and endocrinology by U.S. News & World Report.
Volumes and outcomes
Mayo Clinic doctors' experience and integrated team approach results in transplant outcomes that compare favorably with national averages. Teams work with transplant recipients before, during and after surgery to ensure the greatest likelihood of superior results.
Volumes and statistics are maintained separately for the three Mayo Clinic locations. Taken together or separately, transplant recipients at Mayo Clinic enjoy excellent results.
Locations, travel and lodging
Mayo Clinic Transplant Center offers care and housing for transplant patients and their families in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.
Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.
For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:
Costs and insurance
Kidney transplant costs and insurance information
Mayo Clinic has dedicated transplant financial services representatives and social workers who can assist you with insurance and financial questions regarding your transplant.
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people. In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. Many insurance companies require you to get preapproval authorization prior to transplant services.
Insurance information
Before your transplant, it's important that you work closely with your insurance company to understand your benefit plan. You'll be responsible for any of your transplant and medical care costs not covered by your insurance company.
You may want to ask your insurance company several questions regarding your transplant expenses, including:
- What is the specific coverage of my plan? What are my deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, lifetime maximum amount and annual maximum amounts for both medical care and transplant services?
- Does my plan have a pre-existing or waiting period clause? If so, what is the time frame? Can this be waived?
- Does my plan include pharmacy coverage? If so, will my plan cover my current medications and immunosuppressant medications?
- Does my plan require any special approvals for evaluation or transplant? How long does the approval process take once submitted to insurance?
- Does my plan cover my transportation and lodging expenses during my transplant care?
- Does my current insurance require enrollment in Medicare when eligible?
- Does my insurance follow Medicare Coordination of Benefits guidelines?
- How will my current coverage change after enrolling in Medicare? Will my plan become a supplemental or secondary plan?
If your plan is a Medicare supplement, ask questions including:
- Does my plan follow Medicare guidelines?
- Does my plan cover Medicare Part A and B deductible and coinsurance?
- Does my plan have a pre-existing or waiting period? If so, what is the time frame?
- Does my plan offer an option for Medicare Part D coverage?
Other expenses
Please plan for other expenses that may occur related to your transplant, which may include follow-up medical appointments, long-term medications, caregiver expenses, travel, parking, lodging and other expenses.
For international patients
Mayo Clinic has dedicated international patient account representatives who can assist you with questions regarding your costs and insurance. Read more about international financial services.
Case managers
Mayo Clinic financial staff will work closely with your case managers from your insurance company. Your case manager, who is assigned to you, is available to answer questions and calls related to your insurance costs.